Kyle Kendrick is 3-9 with a 6.45 ERA in his last 14 starts. (USA Today Images)

This might explain some of Kyle Kendrick’s recent struggles.

Kendrick has recently been troubled by soreness in his right shoulder, the Phillies revealed Tuesday afternoon. Kendrick underwent an MRI earlier in the day. The results were not immediately known, but the right-hander has been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday. Zach Miner will make that start.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said the organization scratched Kendrick just to be safe.

“He’s felt something the last few weeks,” Sandberg said. “He just wanted to get some peace of mind about it. He was still able to pitch and could still pitch now. It was a precautionary move to get it checked out now.”

Kendrick was awaiting word on the MRI from team doctors and not immediately available for comment.

Kendrick has been a source of consternation for Phillies officials and fans recently.

He is 3-9 with a 6.45 ERA in his last 14 starts. Opponents have hit .334 against him in that span.

Kendrick opened the season by going 7-4 with a 3.46 ERA in his first 16 starts. Opponents hit .246 against him over that span.

Kendrick won a spot in the rotation by going 7-4 with a 3.20 ERA in his final 12 starts last season.

Sandberg recently said that Kendrick had lost command of his sinker. Shoulder problems could be a factor in that.

“That's a possibility,” Sandberg said. “It could have had something to do with it. His velocity was still good. He was still able to throw a number of pitches and still pitch with it. It wasn't a thing that was a concern the last few weeks. At this stage of the season, the organization just decided to check it out for his peace of mind.”

Kendrick is making $4.5 million this season. He is eligible for salary arbitration this winter.